James Boznos

A performer, composer and conductor, James Boznos (1969, Chicago) performs throughout Asia, North America and Europe. Prior to his appointment as Principal Timpanist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in 2000, Boznos worked regularly with the Chicago Symphony, The Contemporary Chamber Players and Music Now.

James has been soloist with the HK Phil on three occasions, having performed the Kraft Timpani Concerto No.1, as well as his own composition Concerto for Timpani, Roto-Toms and Orchestra, and the world premiere of the revised version of Kraft’s Timpani Concerto No.2. He has been a frequent guest principal with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra and the Singapore Symphony.

Specializing in 20th century music, Boznos has premiered orchestral works by John Adams, Pierre Boulez, Harrison Birtwistle, Elliott Carter and Krzysztof Penderecki. Some other past highlights of his performing career include a ten-city European tour with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra performing Brudowicz’s Marimba Concerto; performing Iannis Xenakis’ Psappha for solo percussion in the ancient amphitheatre in Delphi, Greece, and playing Derive I and II at the Berlin Staatsoper for Pierre Boulez’ 75th birthday, with Boulez himself conducting. He has conducted the US and Asia premiere of Donnerstags Gruss by Stockhausen

OZNO has written music for orchestra, chamber, solo, vocal, electronic genres as well as for the theatre. Recent premieres have included: “Locutions of Dune”, for saxophone quartet, “Zoon, for solo percussionist and ipod”, his first Symphony “Staircase of the Tian-Wang”, for 16 antiphonal instruments, synthetic orchestra and tape’ “Google”, for orchestra and his first cantata, “Anesti”, for 6 instruments, 6 voices and synthetic orchestra”. His 2nd cantata, “Nevu’ah”, for 6 part chorus, 19 instrumentalists and tape, will be premiered by the Hong Kong Bach Choir later this year.

OrchestraThroughout Asia, North America and EuropeTitlePerformer, composer and conductor